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National Survey Finds College Doesn't Prepare Students for Job Search
A new study from Millennial Branding and Beyond.com reveals how personality can impact hiring and long term career prospects
Boston, MA and King of Prussia, PA, May 20, 2014 – Millennial Branding, a Gen Y research and consulting firm, and Beyond.com, The Career Network focused on helping people grow and succeed professionally, today announced the results of a study entitled, "The Multi-Generational Job Search." Following a national survey of job seekers and HR professionals, 43% of the 2,978 respondents said that "cultural fit" was the single most important determining factor when making a new hire. And while academic success was helpful, the majority of hiring managers (64%) would still consider a candidate who hadn't even attended college.
According to the survey, the top three attributes that companies are currently looking for are: a positive attitude (84%), communication skills (83%) and an ability to work as a team (74%). However despite this need, liberal arts majors (who are historically more focused on communications) were shown to be the least likely to land a job, with only 2% of companies actively recruiting those graduates – versus 27% for engineering and computer information systems and 18% for business. Proof of this shift was evident when 49% of all generations responded that they believe there are "no jobs" out there for those with a liberal arts degree.
Based on the data, acquiring a college degree is important, but may take a backseat to an applicant's personality. In fact, 73% of hiring managers felt that colleges are only "somewhat preparing" students for the working world. The biggest challenges facing hiring managers seem to be how the job seeker presents themselves – 36% of HR Pros reported that candidates are "unprepared" and 33% said they have a "bad attitude" when interviewing.
The survey looked at Gen Z (Ages 20 or younger), Gen Y (Ages 21-32), Gen X (Ages 33-49), and Baby Boomers (Ages 50-68). Responses were then segmented into whether the respondent was an employer, or a job seeker.
Highlights from the Employer Responses:
Cultural Fit is Key – 43% of HR professionals rank "cultural fit" as the single most important thing in the hiring process, followed by "relevant courses" (21%) and "internship experience" (13%). Only 2% ranked "GPA" as being most important in the recruiting process.
Job Boards Are Effective – 45% of HR professionals find candidates on job boards, followed by their company website (18%) and employee referrals (17%). 71% said that referral candidates get high priority when deciding whom to hire.
Employers Want Personality – The top three skills hiring managers are looking for are: a positive attitude (84%), communication skills (83%) and teamwork skills (74%). The least important skills were: "having a global perspective" (10%) and "working virtually" (10%).
College Isn't Everything – 64% of employers would consider a candidate without a college degree, and 65% said that where a candidate went to school doesn't matter. 73% feel that college is only somewhat preparing students for the working world.
Employers Can't Communicate Needs – 61% of companies said that their talent needs have changed over the past two years, but 54% haven't communicated those changes to the student marketplace.
Students are Unprepared – 36% of respondents said they are unprepared, and 33% said they have a bad attitude when interviewing. Employers suggested candidates could stand out in the recruiting process by "learning as much as possible" about their company (57%), "bringing a portfolio" of work (15%), and "bringing a case study" showing the results from a project (10%).
Highlights from the Job Seekers Responses:
Salary & Meaningful Work Are Key – The two most important benefits all generations look for when selecting an employer are "salary" (30%) and "meaningful work" (30%). Only 10% said "healthcare benefits" and 2% said "401K" plan.
Jobs are Online – The most popular way respondents are getting jobs is through "online job boards" 28%, followed by "company websites" and "referrals" at 8%. Only 2% have gotten a job from a career fair. More Gen Y's are getting jobs through job boards than older generations and when it came to social networks, 53% are applying to jobs through LinkedIn, followed by 19% for Google+ and 10% for Facebook.
Is College Worth It? – Although 71% of all generations pay their way through college, 31% of job seekers said that a degree isn't worth the cost. Due to the high price of education:
- 41% said it's going to take 4 or more years to pay back student loans
- 53% said that colleges should be accountable for getting students jobs
- 33% of all generations would have rather started a business than attended college in the first place
- 59% said that college doesn't prepare students for the real world
Young Entrepreneurs – 65% of Gen Z and 62% of Gen Y are either somewhat interested or very interested in starting a company, versus 54% of Gen X and 40% of Boomers. Gen Y's (47%) and Gen Z's (60%) are slightly more likely to work at a start-up than Gen X (43%) and Boomers (45%).
"In the current economy, majoring in liberal arts won't yield good job prospects so you have to pair a liberal arts degree with business courses in order to become a more appealing candidate. Students have to up their game by being prepared for interviews, presenting their best self and matching their work style with the right company culture if they want to successfully find a job."
– Dan Schawbel, founder of Millennial Branding and New York Times bestselling author of Promote Yourself
"You hire a person, not a resume – college graduates need to take this into account as they prepare for their career. Corporations are looking to make a long term hire, preferably individuals that are flexible and can work well in a team environment. It is important to study a company prior to the interview, show them your passion and present yourself in the best possible light. Recent college grads need to remember that there is still one test left – the one-on-one interview."
– Rich Milgram, Founder and CEO of Beyond.com
Millennial Branding (Spokesperson): Dan Schawbel, email@example.com
Beyond.com (Media Contact): Michael Cavacini, email@example.com
About Millennial Branding
Millennial Branding is a Gen Y research and management consulting firm based in Boston, Mass. Millennial Branding helps companies understand the emerging Gen Y employee by providing research, training, and advisory services. As representatives of Gen Y and advisers to management, our goal is to provide research and insights that will make you more profitable, grow your market share, help you understand your Gen Y employees, and turn you into an industry leader. As ambassadors to Gen Y, we want to give our generation a voice, support their careers, and connect them with brands that understand their needs.
About Beyond.com
Beyond.com is The Career Network focused on helping people grow and succeed professionally. By connecting job seekers and employers through 70 unique career channels and 3,000 industry and regional communities, we are changing the way job searching is done and helping people build relationships around the world. Through powerful communication tools and a personalized online Career Portfolio, members have a 24/7 online presence and access to job search functions, networking features, statistics and social and industry research. Beyond.com was named to Inc. Magazine's prestigious 'Inc. 500' list and is a Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE: SFE) portfolio company. www.Beyond.com.


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"We must be clear about this: the United States is in clear breach not just of its own commitments but also of international laws and standards that it is obliged to uphold," declared recently Friday Navi Pillay, the U.N. Commissioner for Human Rights. She said that in reference to Guantánamo and, in one of the strongest criticisms of United States policy towards the inmates there also called on the US government to close that facility.
Ms. Pillay's statement came shortly before guards at the Guantánamo Bay facility had fired "four non-lethal rounds" at prisoners, to force them into isolated one-man cells in an attempt to end their hunger strike. Lawyers for the inmates at Guantánamo have said that most of the 166 prisoners presently held at Guantánamo are staging a hunger strike to protest their indefinite detention and other human rights violations.
One of the main arguments for denying constitutional protection to the Guantánamo prisoners rests on the allegation that Guantánamo is in Cuba, off American soil. Yet, respect for basic human dignity fostered by the Bill of Rights is not limited by nationality and territory. And if the US Constitution were not enough, international human rights law (customary and treaty-based), extends such protection.
While legal condemnation awaits the final word of a Supreme Court or supranational tribunal with enforcing capabilities, the inhumane treatment of prisoners at Guantánamo has been repeatedly condemned by international human rights organizations. The UN Commissioner for Human Rights pronouncement confirms once more that prisoners were subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment.
Many of the responses to allegations of torture at Guantánamo from commanding officers of the US army have been ethically suspect. Equally troubling from the medical and ethical perspective has been the collaboration of US Army doctors and other health personnel in the torture and mistreatment of prisoners.
Already in 2004, Dr Robert Jay Lifton had warned that there has been "increasing evidence that doctors, nurses and medics have been compliant in torture and other illegal procedures in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantánamo Bay." The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) charged that US interrogators engaged the participation of medical personnel in what the committee called "a flagrant violation of medical ethics."
In an article published in April 2011, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) experts stated that medical doctors and mental health professionals at the Guantánamo facility neglected or concealed evidence of torture and ill treatment of prisoners including bone fractures, lacerations and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Doctors and medical personnel aiding or abetting torturers challenge the medical profession with one of its most crucial ethical dilemmas. The Declaration of Tokyo -agreed in 1975 by the World Medical Association- has a firm ethical prescription: "The doctor shall not countenance, condone or participate in the practice of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading procedures, whatever the offence of which the victim of such procedures is suspected, accused or guilty, and whatever the victim's beliefs or motives, and in all situations, including armed conflict and civil strife."
The moral and legal challenge confronting the United States is to continue its war on terrorism while adhering to international human rights standards, which are not in conflict with the protections offered by the US Constitution. As Ms. Navi Pillay stated, "We must be clear about this: the United States is in clear breach not just of its own commitments, but also of international laws and standards that it is obliged to uphold. When other countries breach these standards, the U.S. –quite rightly- strongly criticizes them for it."
The United States' government should seriously investigate and prosecute all allegations of torture and cruel and inhuman treatment of Guantánamo inmates – not because of the international outcry it has provoked, but because it is the right thing to do.
Addressing the moral issues that Guantánamo presents, offers the United States an opportunity to live up to the ideals of respecting and ensuring human dignity as they are framed in the Bill of Rights and the US Constitution.
Dr. César Chelala is an international public health consultant and a co-winner of an Overseas Press Club of America award.

subset: commoncrawl


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Check out the new Hostelling International video!
Sep 10, 2012 at 2:27 PM 0 Comments
Hostelling International and the Hawthorne Hostel have been excellent partners and leaders in sustainability over the years. Their new video showcases several examples of green infrastructure and sustainable design elements, including ecoroofs and green streets at the Hawthorne Hostel, People's Food Co-op, and the Multnomah County Building. Thanks and way to go Hostelling International!
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24 January 2016 | ||
11:00 | to | 13:00 |
This is the typical feast for venetians and for all the guests interested in local traditions.
After the opening on Saturday, 23th of January, on Sunday 24th January the water parade by Coordinamento Associazioni Remiere di Voga alla Veneta will sail along the Canal Grande to the folkloristic district of Cannaregio, where the audience will watch these unique boats and where the eno-gastronomic stalls by A.E.P.E., with the traditional carnival delicacies, will offer venetian food specialities.
Music and rhythm will accompaign the water parade.
Festa Veneziana timetable:
11.00 am: entertainment starts on the banks
12.00 pm: venetian tipical food and wine offered by A.E.P.E.
12.00 pm : Water parade by Associazioni Remiere di Voga alla Veneta
An event realized in partnership with A.E.P.E. – Associazione Esercenti Pubblici Esercizi and Coordinamento Associazioni Remiere di Voga alla Veneta.


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Here is what he says:
What you say concerning the virtue and efficacy of the price, paid by Christ, needs a more careful consideration. You say, that "the efficacy of that price, as far as merit is concerned, is infinite;" but you make a distinction between "actual and potential efficacy." You also define "potential efficacy" as synonymous with a sufficiency of price for the whole world. This, however, is a phrase, hitherto unknown among Theologians, who have merely made a distinction between the efficacy and the sufficiency of the merit of Christ. I am not sure, also, but that there is an absurdity in styling efficacy "potential," since there is a contradiction in terms. For all efficacy is actual, as that word has been, hitherto, used by Theologians. But, laying aside phrases, let us consider the thing itself. The ransom or price of the death of Christ, is said to be universal in its sufficiency, but particular in its efficacy, i.e. sufficient for the redemption of the whole world, and for the expiation of all sins, but its efficacy pertains not to all universally, which efficacy consists in actual application by faith and the sacrament of regeneration, as Augustine and Prosper, the Aquitanian, say. If you think so, it is well, and I shall not very much oppose it. But if I rightly understand you, it seems to me that you do not acknowledge the absolute sufficiency of that price; but with the added condition, if God had willed that it should be offered for the sins of the whole world.A brief response from me:
So then, that, which the Schoolmen declare categorically, namely, that Christ's death was sufficient for all and for each, is, according to your view, to be expressed hypothetically, that is, in this sense the death of Christ would be a sufficient price for the sins of the whole world, if God had willed that it should be offered for all men. In this sense, indeed, its sufficiency is absolutely taken away. For if it is not a ransom offered and paid for all, it is, indeed, not a ransom sufficient for all. For the ransom is that, which is offered and paid. Therefore the death of Christ can be said to be sufficient for the redemption of the sins of all men, if God had wished that he should die for all ; but it can not be said to be a sufficient ransom, unless it has, in fact, been paid for all.
Hence, also, Beza notes an incorrect phraseology, in that distinction, because the sin-offering is said to be absolutely sufficient, which is not such, except on the supposition already set forth. But, indeed, my friend [TurretinFan], the Scripture says, most clearly, in many places, that Christ died for all, for the life of the world, and that by the command and grace of God.
The decree of Predestination prescribes nothing to the universality of the price paid for all by the death of Christ. It is posterior, in the order of nature, to the death of Christ and to its peculiar efficacy. For that decree pertains to the application of the benefits obtained for us by the death of Christ: but his death is the price by which those benefits were prepared.
Therefore the assertion is incorrect, and the order is inverted, when it is said that "Christ died only for the elect, and the predestinate." For predestination depends, not only on the death of Christ, but also on the merit of Christ's death; and hence Christ did not die for those who were predestinated, but they, for whom Christ died, were predestinated, though not all of them. For the universality of the death of Christ extends itself more widely than the object of Predestination.
From which it is also concluded that the death of Christ and its merit is antecedent, in nature and order, to Predestination. What else, indeed, is predestination than the preparation of the grace, obtained and provided for us by the death of Christ, and a preparation pertaining to the application, not to the acquisition or provision of grace, not yet existing? For the decree of God, by which he determined to give Christ as a Redeemer to the world, and to appoint him the head only of believers, is prior to the decree, by which lie determined to really apply to some, by faith, the grace obtained by the death of Christ.
1. My theological opponent's point about the difference between "actual and potential efficacy" seems to gloss over an important point. Something has potential efficacy if it is able to do something. Thus, for example, an analgesic tablet (sitting on the shelf) may have the potential efficacy to relieve a headache. Sitting on the shelf, however, the tablet does not exercise or actuate that efficacy.
Thus, "actual efficacy" or (more simply) "efficiency" is to be ascribed only to the analgesic that is actually efficacious, that alleviates pain, and not merely that has the ability to alleviate pain if properly used.
In contrast, "potential efficacy" or "sufficiency" goes to the intrinsic merit of the work of Christ. Christ's death was sufficient not only for all the men that ever have been and ever will be, but also for an infinite number of men - more than ever there will be. Christ's work is super-abundant in merit. As is typified by the blood poured out upon the foot of the altar, as so well explained by Thomas Boston ("5. And all the rest of the blood shall be poured out at the foot of the altar. Figuring thereby, the abundant shedding of the blood of Christ, and superabundant merit thereof, Acts, xxii. 16 ; 1 John, i. 7. As likewise, that although it be so abundant and sufficient for all, yet it is not efficient to all, but is unprofitably poured out to many, through their own contempt and incredulous induration, Mat. xxiii. 37 ; Heb. x. 29." - Thomas Boston, Crook in the Lot, p. 26, 1841 ed. [available here] [note especially the connection between this OT type and the NT ante-type in Hebrews 10:29])
2. As to the type of sufficiency, my theological opponent is correct in understanding that we do not believe only that Christ's death is sufficient, and that is efficiently applied by regeneration which produces faith (leaving aside the issue of the order of those, and the issue of their relation to the sacraments). Instead, we also believe that Christ's atonement would similarly have been efficient to every man, if God had so willed it - i.e. if it had been offered on their behalf.
You see, we believe that the efficacy of Christ's blood extends further than to merely working when applied: it secures the elect. In that respect it is a redemption - a ransom - a payment. The elect have been purchased by Christ as his peculiar possession (Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. ).
3. My theological opponent's comment, "For if it is not a ransom offered and paid for all, it is, indeed, not a ransom sufficient for all," is incorrect because it assumes that the payment was commercial, when (in fact) it was penal. The payment made was not "this much for that many" but instead it was life for life. It was not that Christ had to spill 1000 drops of blood for 1000 souls, but that he had to give his life to save all those that were his. As it is written, "The good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep," (John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.)
4. My theological opponent's position that Scripture plainly states various things may be fully correct, but the question that divides us not whether Scripture plainly states thus-and-such, but how the words used in those passages are to be understood. For example, it would be absurd to interpret the words for "the world" and "to love" in the same sense in the expression, "For God so loved the world" and in the expression, "if any man love the world." Both are plain statements of Scripture, and yet there sense must be properly understood if we are to make sense of them.
5. At this point, we see my theological opponent taking a position on an order and the decrees of God, which we might take to be a statement about the order of the decrees. My theological opponent has taken a position that is not merely infralapsarian (i.e. it does not merely subordinate predestination to the fall), but goes further - placing predestination in a place subordinate to the work of Christ. This order makes little sense, because Christ's work is not the end but the means: and the predestination to glory with God is the end.
6. My theological opponent insists that those for whom Christ died were predestinated, though not all of them. We recognize that this is his position, but we cannot understand why (from Scripture) it is thought to follow. Indeed, Scripture reverses (as my theological opponent claims) the order and says that Christ went to the cross with joy in mind, which could be none other than our salvation (Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.).
7. My theological opponent finally argues, "What else, indeed, is predestination than the preparation of the grace, obtained and provided for us by the death of Christ, and a preparation pertaining to the application, not to the acquisition or provision of grace, not yet existing? For the decree of God, by which he determined to give Christ as a Redeemer to the world, and to appoint him the head only of believers, is prior to the decree, by which lie determined to really apply to some, by faith, the grace obtained by the death of Christ." (emphasis added) The answer there is that predestination is the reason for Christ's death - it is not the preparation of previously obtained grace, instead it is the decree that the grace would be both obtained (by the work of Christ) and applied (by the work of the Spirit) to the elect. Scripture confirms this, placing Christ's obtaining of our inheritance logically subsequent to our predestination (Eph 1:7-11 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:).
It's worth pointing out that I've taken out the name of the person to whom this theological opponent of mine was responding and substituted my own name, not because I adopt everything that person may have said, but because this theological opponent of mine is generally setting forth a position that I could take. The name of that person opposed by my theological opponent was Perkins. Perhaps with that further clue, you can now identify my theological opponent. If you have not, I'll spell it out for you. His name was Arminius. His theology was not supralapsarian, it was not infralapsarian, it was not even Amyraldian, it was Arminian. Nevertheless, in contrast to the supralapsarian position, it shared the commonality with infralapsarian of placing the decree to predestine after the fall, it shared the commonality with the Amyraldian of placing the decree to predestine after the decree to atone, and it differentiates itself from the Amyraldian in a way that is not reflected in the discussion above - by placing the decree to predestine subsequent to a recognition of those who would (will?) respond to the gospel call.
If you scanned down here to see who the theological opponent was, consider reading the arguments without knowing who the people are. If you insist on knowing who they are, the name is in the previous paragraph.
Praise and thanks be to our Substitute!


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Originally published at Chabad.org.
By Carin M. Smilk
Summer is winding down in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It's a short season, weather-wise, but it's also a season that brings in tourists, lots of them, who come for the mountains and national parks, the outdoor sports and the wide open spaces. They come to make good on the state slogan: "Like No Place on Earth."
Not long after they leave, winter beckons a slew of other travelers, those lured to the skiing and snow activities. It's another bustling time; the two seasons bring in about 4 million visitors a year.
And about 1 percent of them—an estimated 40,000 people—are Jewish.
That helps make life busy for Rabbi Zalman Mendelsohn, co-director of Chabad Jewish Center of Wyoming with his wife, Raizy. Not that it's so quiet the rest of the year. The couple, based in the town of Jackson—in western Wyoming near the border of Idaho, almost completely surrounded by mountains and in the well-known valley of Jackson Hole—serves the roughly 500 permanent Jewish residents there, out of a general population of nearly 10,000. It's an interesting mix, says the rabbi, of singles, couples, families, retirees, tourists and those with second homes in the area.
"We have a very small community," acknowledges Mendelsohn, "but we offer quality services—substantive services. We're reaching out to individual Jews in a very personal, warm, inviting way."
Since their official 2008 move to Jackson, they have started all kinds of programs. There's the annual Jackson Hole Jewish Music Festival, which brings in bands and performers from all over, coupled with Camp Gan Israel, a Jewish women's circle, a "Mommy & Me" class, Torah study, lectures, "Coffee & Kabbalah," and Shabbat and Jewish holiday dinners and services. Currently, they rent space for High Holiday services but are looking for a place to buy.
Also on tap are lecture series, including one to take place this weekend, Aug. 16-17. The Shabbaton will include services and a Friday-night dinner, then Saturday-morning services and a three-course lunch, with lectures both days by guest speaker David N. Weiss. A Hollywood film writer with several blockbusters to his credit, Weiss has traversed religiously from being a secular Jew to a Christian youth worker, and now follows a life of observant Judaism.
"His story is very compelling," says Mendelsohn. "He never really had the opportunity to study Judaism in-depth. It shows that you can always start fresh and new, even if you're very famous or a celebrity. You can always rediscover your roots."
The series has attracted 50 to 60 people on average, and the rabbi expects a similar turnout for Weiss.
'Very Much at Home'
So how has life changed for a couple raised in completely different living environments? The rabbi, in his early 30s, hails from Miami, Fla., and Raizy, in her late 20s, grew up in Israel. What's it like to live in the least populated state in the nation?
"We felt very much at home right away," says the rabbi. "People are warm and welcoming; there'sthe renowned Western hospitality. It's a cowboy town, it's the Wild West, but people also have a more spiritual character here. And our goal is to introduce a Yiddishkeit element to it."
That sense of spirituality could have something to do with the physical backdrop. Jackson is a stone's throw from Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton Mountains. The rabbi talks of the everyday appearance of bison, moose, deer, wolves and bears. "There's wildlife in the streets," he says, pausing to add that he just saw a herd of elk run up the side of a nearby mountain.
He also notes the atmosphere—both scenically and spiritually—is good for the couple's four young children. After all, for kids in such a place, aside from their home-schooling time, "life is surrounded by G-d's great outdoors."
Of course, it's not all vales and wild flowers. There's no kosher food, no Jewish schools, no other Orthodox presence and no mikvah. The closest mikvahs are in Bozeman, Mont., and Salt Lake City, Utah—both a five-hour drive or one-hour flight away.
"Still," says Mendelsohn, "we have a wonderful community, and we are honored to also accommodate visitors who come through. I travel around the state quarterly visiting Jewish people. We've put up about 60 mezuzahs in the last three years all over the state. One by one, we're connecting Jews with their heritage."
"That's the story of Wyoming. We may be one of the most remote Jewish communities in the country, but I want people to know that Yiddishkeit is alive and well and thriving in Jackson Hole."
Laura Goldstein, 34, can attest to that. Originally from New Jersey, she now lives in Victor, Idaho, which borders Wyoming and is about a 45-minute drive from Jackson. She and her husband Howard, a wildlife biologist, came to live out West in 2009, and she says the rabbi was one of the first people they met.
"We were looking for a way to connect with other Jewish people, and we knew Chabad would be a good way to do that," says Goldstein, an administrative assistant. "They invited us over for Shabbat dinner, and it was lovely. They were so gracious. They make you want to be part of the community.
"And every opportunity they have of doing a mitzvah, they do. It's incredible."
She's also seen Chabad grow as an organization. At Rosh Hashanah, there used to be three men, not even a minyan; now there may be 14. And Shabbat dinners in the summer can draw 40 to 50 people. She even mentions that just this year, she met a Jewish woman from New York who runs a clothing store/jewelry shop in Victor.
Learning by Example
Most of all, Goldstein says she and her husband have modeled their Shabbat observance at home on the Mendelsohns' example. "Knowing them has been a huge part in that direction. We feel that we're better Jewish people out here. It probably wouldn't have been as big a part of our identity" back East.
She adds that Raizy has shown her how to make challah, light Shabbat candles and recite the Havdalah prayers.
"It's great to see how they bring in what they need," says Goldstein. "These people are making it work; they're doing it." So she figures she can, too.
"Rabbi Zalman," as Josh Beck and other local residents call him, "is involved in everything. He's an amazing man."
"And he's one of my closest friends here."
Beck, 41, an orthopedic surgeon from New Jersey, has been living in Wyoming for seven years. He says he considers himself a very big supporter and very active with Chabad there.
He attends Shabbat dinners (the true reason, he says, is because of "Raizy's fantastic cooking") and various programs, but admits to preferring "the off-season, when there's a handful of locals."
He says that he, his wife and 3-year-old daughter "love living out here." Beck hunts and fishes and skis; in fact, he notes, he found his job there while on a ski vacation.
A Spiritual Change of Scenery
Cross-country skiing also appeals to Stephen and Linda Melcer from Boca Raton, Fla., who have rented a house in Jackson the last two winters and intend to come again this year.
"It's a nice change of scenery, of climate," says Stephen Melcer, a 61-year-old lawyer. "It's also a nice change religiously and a change in diversity."
The couple belongs to Boca Raton Synagogue, an Orthodox shul. "Whenever we travel, we look for a place to be for Shabbos, and a good place to start looking is Chabad. We've noticed here that a lot of people attending are travelers, and a larger percentage of people are not observant."
Melcer says he appreciates "going into an environment where a rabbi is focused on the less observant."
"They are very warm," he says of the Mendelsohns. "I think they enjoy the challenge of it. And they certainly have a lot of challenges. The incredible thing is that challenges never cross their minds."
Ken Begelman is glad that's the case. He and his wife, Helen, helped the Mendelsohns come to town.
Twelve years ago, the Begelmans moved to Teton County, about 8 miles outside Jackson, from Palm Beach County, Fla. When they arrived, they wanted a shul—a congregation of some type. Begelman says he was familiar with Chabad rabbinical students coming to Wyoming temporarily (they have for decades, as part of the "Roving Rabbis" program), and got in touch with people in Brooklyn to work to make it happen permanently.
"He's a very outgoing guy, very inclusive; he gets along with everybody," says Begelman, a 66-year-old retired cardiac surgeon, of Mendelsohn.
He notes that there's a large number of 20-year-olds who come to work during ski season or in the summer who have never had any religious affiliation or education, and "the rabbi has turned a lot of these kids around."
As for Wyoming, the former Floridian insists that "it's wonderful here. It's what America should be. Everybody respects everybody else. You don't have to lock your house or your car. There's no crime."
Sure, the winter temperatures can fall to 20 below and the snow can average 38 feet a year in the mountainous regions, but residents insist that it's an invigorating experience.
In regards to future expansion, Begelman says that if "one new Jewish family a year comes permanently, that would be a lot." Population growth is indeed slow; Begelman has seen signs in the state that note there are 10 horses for every one person residing there.
As far as the rabbi and his family go, "I'm very happy that they've fit in well in the community and that they like it here. It's a wonderful place to live."


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Avengers Vol. 3: Infinity Prelude
It's the buildup to the biggest event of 2013! First, Hyperion and Captain Universe begin the godlike education of the transformed Savage Land children. But when the High Evolutionary stakes his claim on the Children of the Sun, Hyperion learns the true cost of the decisions he's made - as the techno-titan Terminus returns! Then, the prelude to INFINITY begins as all of Earth's Origin Sites go active - and the planet begins communicating with something much more ancient than humans. And when alien races fleeing an intergalactic terror crash to Earth, Captain Universe and Manifold must take a trip across the universe. Whatever happened to Ex Nihilo, Abyss, Starbrand and Nightmask? As the Avengers recruit more members to deal with the mounting threat, the Builders enter the Marvel Universe - and INFINITY is upon us. Collecting AVENGERS (2012) #12-17.


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About a year ago today, a Calorie Counter went live. So uh… I guess a "happy birthday" is in order. Or maybe anniversary? I have no idea. Either way, the moral of the story here is that this very site has now spent 1 full year making the internet a better place. Sweet. 😉
During that time, big things have happened. For example, various parts of a Calorie Counter have been mentioned by the likes of Business Week, The Huffington Post, Lifehacker and other sites so big you'd think I was making it up. Equally cool is the fact that a whole bunch of schools are using this site as part of their health/nutrition courses. Pretty sweet again.
I'm also quite proud of the countless comments and emails I've gotten from you fine people letting me know how much weight you've lost, or how much muscle you've built, or how a Calorie Counter has in some way been of use to you. Thanks for letting me know. I'm glad the site could be of service.
Speaking of this site being of service… something is on its way soon that will actually make a Calorie Counter be of even more service. And, you're going to like it. As soon as it's ready to go, you'll be the first person I tell, I promise.
That's about it. Another year of extremely useful stuff is on the way. Stay tuned…


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Pre-drinking: "Chugging cheap alcoholic drinks before heading out to a bar, club, or sporting event." – " 'Pre-drinking' or 'Pre-funking' Common Among Young Alcohol Users," Los Angeles Times, November 8, 2012. Also called pre-gaming, pre-partying, pre-loading, or frontloading.
Young drinkers' reasons for pre-drinking include saving money, "getting in the mood," and "facilitating contacts with potential sexual partners," according to a new Swiss study to be published in the February 2013 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. It's risky business, the L.A. Times reports:
Researchers found that when students drank prior to going to a bar or club, they drank more than they would otherwise. On average, pre-drinking students consumed seven drinks, and students who drank only at a bar or event consumed just over four drinks.
The researchers surveyed 183 Swiss adults, with a median age of 23, over five consecutive weeks. They used a recently developed cellphone assessment technique to collect reports. The legal drinking age in Switzerland is 16.
Florian Labhart, one of the study's authors, was quoted by Science Daily as saying that "pre-drinking has been found in about one third of all on-premise drinking, which is a very high rate." Pre-drinking rates in the United States may be even higher than that, according to Shannon R. Kenney, a sociology professor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles who did not participate in the study. Kenney told Science Daily:
"In fact, due to U.S. legal drinking age requirements, pre-drinking may be most prevalent among underage drinkers in the U.S. … Research shows that underage drinkers may be motivated to pre-drink to achieve a 'buzz' or become intoxicated before going to a licensed premise where they cannot legally consume alcohol, such as a bar, club, concert, or sporting event."
Happy new year! And if you pre-drink, please don't pre-drive.


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The Batashewala Complex, abutting Humayun's Tomb Complex stands within the World Heritage Site buffer zone. The complex comprises Bara Batashewala Mahal; Chota Batashewala Mahal; an enclosure wall; and, an unknown Mughal tomb all constructed in the late 16th – early 17th century. These buildings comprise a unique Mughal era Islamic funerary complex unlike any other in India.
As with the abutting Humayun's Tomb World Heritage Site, which stands within a walled garden enclosure, the structures known as Bara Batashewala and Chota Batashewala Mahals were actually tombs located within an arcaded stone masonry enclosure wall (over 1'000m long). The domed Mughal era tomb, (referred to as the unknown tomb) standing at the eastern end of the complex, stood on an elevated 'fort-like' platform, only fragments of which are now visible. Since I950's the Batashewala Complex has been in the ownership of Bharat Scouts for use as a campground. After over a decade of persistent requests by conservation groups, the ownership was transferred by the Government of India to the Archaeological Survey of India in 2010 thus now allowing the possibility of conservation of the monuments that stand within the complex as a whole and in an integrated manner with other monuments that sit in adjacent complexes.
Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture


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[](/sites/default/files/uploads/2012/06/Memri-ss.gif)At the annual American Jewish Press Association (AJPA) Conference, held recently in Philadelphia, a newsworthy session was held with Chemi Shalev, the newly appointed US correspondent for the English language edition of HaAretz.
Working with foreign journalists in Jerusalem for the past 25 years, the significance of HaAretz reaches beyond its scope as a daily newspaper in Israel.
The HaAretz English edition, sold in Israel together with the International Herald Tribune, is the paper of record for reporters who cover complexities of Middle East issues.
Therefore, the opportunity for AJPA to hear Shalev's insights into Middle East reporting policies was significant.
After hearing Shalev's insightful analysis of current Israeli politics and the current state of Israeli-Arab negotiations, our news agency posed a question to Shalev:
Why does HaAretz not report what the Palestinian Authority communicates to their people in their language, on the PBC TV, the PBC radio, Palestinian Authority newspapers and the Palestinian Authority schools?
After all, over the past few weeks, PBC TV has conducted daily features that promote the armed struggle to liberate all of Palestine, praise for those who martyr themselves while murdering Jews, transforming Israeli cities into Arab cities, and worse.
And then there are the new school books of the PA, which indoctrinate the next generation to liberate all of Palestine by the force of arms, while the theme of PA education remains the "right of return" to Arab villages from 1948 within the green line which no longer exist.
15 years ago, access to PBC TV and to PA school books was difficult.
Our agency would dispatch messengers to the heart of Ramallah or Gaza to buy DVDs of PBC telecasts or purchase new PA school books and then commission translations of both.
Today, all a journalist has to do to view PBC TV is to peruse the PMW or MEMRI web sites, or to do what our agency does: we paid a technician 125 shekels to adjust our TV to gain access to PBC TV.
Today, all a reporter has to do to see the new PA school books is to buy the PA school books which are sold on Salach A Din Street in Jerusalem. And the PA school books can now be seen online.
Shalev's candid response: "We do not have room to cover all of that." The follow up question was simpler: In the context of any article that HaAretz runs on the peace process, why not mention what the spokespeople of the PA say that day in their media and in their own language?
Shalev: "As an editor, I would recommend not covering that."
In other words, a senior editor of HaAretz admitted to a gathering of journalists that his newspaper engages in a journalistic indiscretion.
As a matter of policy, Shalev admitted, Haaretz will not report the consistent message that the Palestinian Authority conveys in the Arabic language.
This poses a challenge to agencies that rely on HaAretz as a source. At the AJPA conference, our agency also asked the representatives of the JTA, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, if it would change its policy of not reporting what the Palestinian Authority conveys in Arabic.
JTA has not responded to this question, which our agency has been posing to JTA for more than a decade, without an answer.
Perhaps JTA's new correspondent in Jerusalem will respond to the challenge.
Over the past ten years, our agency has also asked AJPA to allow time for an audiovisual briefing on what the Palestinian Authority conveys in the Arabic language. AJPA has consistently turned down the request.
However, the tenacity of our agency will persist with the question:
Does the media not deserve to know what the Palestinian Authority conveys in the Arabic language, at a time when hopes for a renewed peace process continue to dominate the news?
Freedom Center pamphlets now available on Kindle: Click here.


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Newt Gingrich on JobsFormer Republican Representative (GA-6) and Speaker of the House |
Q: Mr. Speaker, that's a tough one--a major American industry, in a time of trouble....
GINGRICH: It's not tough. There was a huge amount of the American auto industry that was just fine. BMW in South Carolina was terrific. Mercedes in Alabama was doing just fine. Honda in Ohio was just fine. Toyota was just fine. What we have is the United Auto Workers and a management system that had grown incapable of tough decisions because they were used to selling out to the UAW . And so they came in and said, oh we can't change. And this president on behalf of the UAW said, you're exactly right. I think that they would have been much better off to have gone through a managed bankruptcy. I think what would have happened is the UAW would have lost all of their advantages. [The actual] result was an unprecedented violation of 200 years of bankruptcy law by Barack Obama to pay off the UAW at the expense of every bondholder.
But bigger government and higher taxes will not lead to jobs and growth. Bigger government and higher taxes will instead lead to more people on food stamps, a situation which the President and his party defend as a fair outcome.
Economic growth and prosperity is not really at the top of Obama's agenda. He will always prefer a food stamp economy to a paycheck economy and call it fair.
For the president and a large part of the political class, it's about their power, their right to rule. That's why so much of that nearly trillion-dollar stimulus didn't create jobs but just went into the pockets of special interests who support Obama and the Democratic Party.
GINGRICH: The US government did 2 dramatic things after World War II. They created a GI Bill which enabled literally millions of returning veterans to go to college. My father, who was in WWII, went to college on a GI Bill. So there was an enormous expansion of opportunity that enabled them to integrate into a new, emerging society. The second thing they did is, they dramatically cut taxes, and the economy took off and grew dramatically, and it absorbed the workforce. So I would say we ought to both have a transition process for veterans to enable them to have a real advantage in getting a job when they come home, and we ought to have a very aggressive economic program of regulatory cuts and tax cuts, so that virtually every veteran would have a very good job at the end of the transition period.
GINGRICH: You must start with the question on whether or not means-testing requires people to stay below. We have the most effective food stamp president in history right now and that is not a good thing. Do you want to rise above the point where you would be means tested? You create a discouragement--read the book LOSING GROUND--you are teaching people to be dependent and fail. You need to rethink the idea that people are getting something for nothing, because that's not how it works. If someone is an able bodied person who is getting something for nothing than we are stupid for giving it to you. We need to fundamentally change unemployment compensation. We need to require training. 99 weeks of unemployment sitting doing nothing could be turned into an associate's degree. I think that each state needs to have primary responsibility for most of these domestic issues.
GINGRICH: I think unemployment compensation should be tied directly to a training program. And if you don't have a job and you need help, then in order for us to give you the help, you should sign up for a business-led training program so that that 99 weeks becomes an investment in human capital, so you can get a job. But I believe it is fundamentally wrong to give people money for 99 weeks for doing nothing. That's why we had welfare reform. The easiest thing for Congress, if the president sends up a proposed extension, is to allow all 50 states to experiment at the state level with developing a mandatory training component of unemployment compensation. But I believe deeply, people should not get money for doing nothing.
Now, I don't claim credit for that because it was done by investors. But I just want to point out, the American people create jobs, not government.
A: My Jobs and Prosperity Plan: No tax increase, 100% expensing, reduce business tax to 12.5%, eliminate cap gains & death tax; audit & reform the Federal Reserve; repeal Dodd-Frank, Sarbanes Oxley, Community Reinvestment Act; break up Freddie and Fannie; Repeal & replace Obamacare and fully develop American energy. These would all create jobs by REDUCING government.
A: One of the things the Congress should do immediately is defund the National Labor Relations Board which has gone into South Carolina to punish Boeing, which wants to put 8,000 American jobs in S.C. by fundamentally eliminating right-to-work at the National Labor Relations Board. That's a real, immediate threat from the Obama administration to eliminate right to work. And I think that it is fundamentally the wrong direction. I hope that New Hampshire does adopt right-to-work. I frankly keep it at the state level because as each new state becomes right to work, they send a signal to the remaining states, don't be stupid. If you believe in the 10th Amendment, we ought to let the states learn from each other. And the right-to-work states are creating a lot more jobs today that they heavily unionized states.
And I'll be candid. We did not need a deficit commission. We needed a jobs commission who talked with people who only create jobs. I am sick and tired of Congressional hearings, where people who have never created a job show up to explain what their theory is of doing something they have never done.
I am going to outline two large strategies that will move us towards job creation: an American Energy Plan and an Environmental Solutions Agency to replace the Environmental Protection Agency.
Because we are self-reliant and operate in markets where people won't pay us if we cheat, Americans have created an environment where honesty pays. In contrast, the secular-socialist machine, with its commitment to a socialist vision of wealth redistribution, has undermined the very concept of "an honest day's work," especially through its union power, In fact, it spreads the opposite ethic: game the system to get as many benefits as you can while working as little as possible.
[As part of the Contract with America, within 100 days we pledge to bring to the House Floor the following bill]:
The Job Creation and Wage Enhancement Act:
Small business incentives, capital gains cut and indexation, neutral cost recovery, risk assessment/cost-benefit analysis, strengthening the Regulatory Flexibility Act and unfunded mandate reform to create jobs and raise worker wages.


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"The Brendan Schaub fight was finally just a small glimpse of what I can really do and how I want to fight and how exciting I want to be for the fans." - Ben Rothwell
When George Foreman shocked the world in May of 1994, knocking out Michael Moorer to win the world heavyweight boxing title at the age of 45, HBO commentator Jim Lampley's call of "It happened" got injected into the combat sports lexicon forever.
In April of 2012, nearly 18 years later, "It happened" for UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell when he knocked out Brendan Schaub in the first round.
It wasn't a championship bout, it wasn't a history making occurrence, and it didn't even shock those who have followed Rothwell's lengthy MMA career. But finally, in his fourth UFC bout, the Wisconsin native delivered a performance he could smile about.
Yeah, it happened.
"The Brendan Schaub fight was finally just a small glimpse of what I can really do and how I want to fight and how exciting I want to be for the fans," said Rothwell, now 2-2 in the UFC. "It's just a small step in showing the world that I really believe in myself and how good I really am, and that's the way it's gotta be or I'm not gonna be happy."
We've seen Rothwell unhappy, with the prime example being the aftermath of his UFC 115 win over Gilbert Yvel. Yes, win. But you wouldn't have known that seeing Rothwell's face after the three round decision victory.
"I'm a fan and I like to watch fights and be impressed and be excited, and I watch my fights the same way," he explains. "Without even seeing the fight, I knew right away that people weren't happy with the fight or it wasn't as exciting a fight as it should have been, and that's what I fight for (to have exciting fights)."
Rothwell, who debuted in the UFC in 2009 with a loss to future heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, would drop his next bout in September of 2011 to Mark Hunt, but after surviving an arduous training camp and some early bombs from Schaub, he got back on track with a much needed win capped off by a Knockout of the Night bonus.
Next up was a summer bout with another rising star in Travis Browne, but as soon as Rothwell was about to start getting some momentum, an ankle injury forced him out of the fight.
"The problem is that I got too excited (after the Schaub fight) and the excitement caused me to show that my body's not invincible," said the 31-year-old. "I should have taken more of a rest because I had such a hard training camp and I basically came right out of that fight and went immediately into another training camp and right into an injury, so as good as I felt, I quickly didn't feel as good just a few months later. It was rough. It was like taking a loss without even fighting."
That's Ben Rothwell. In a serious sport, not many take it as seriously as Rothwell. To him, getting to the UFC wasn't just a perk of doing well on the local circuit; it was the goal he had set for himself years before. And once he got here, nothing less than a world championship would be acceptable, and every fight had to be one to remember. Is he hard on himself? Absolutely.
I" try to be hard on myself when I need to be, because when it comes through and I have a night like I did in my last fight, then I know why I was hard on myself, because I want to feel as good as I felt then," he said. "A loss is not acceptable and performing poorly is not acceptable. I train to hard to allow that to happen."
This Saturday night, Rothwell returns against former world title challenger Gabriel Gonzaga. It's an intriguing fight between two top heavyweights and competitors who have been around the block a time or two, and while a win doesn't mean immediate title contention, a loss could hurt those aspirations considerably. So given the stakes, Rothwell has kept his head down, trained hard, and he's not about to do a lot of talking. He wants to save his energy for fight night in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
"That is where I'm at right now," he said. "I'm not superstitious in the sense of worrying about black cats walking in front of me, but when it comes to fighting, I'm a bit superstitious, I guess, when it comes to the things that come out of your mouth and what you do in the ring. I have nothing to really say as far as strategy, or what I'm gonna do, or anything about the fight. I just have to do it in the ring, and that's how I want to talk the best."
And in a contrast to his younger days in the sport, Rothwell isn't looking at this week's visit to Brazil as an opportunity to take a mini-vacation. This one is strictly business.
"When I was younger and went to Brazil and Russia, I almost tried to make like a vacation / sightseeing tour out of it, but that gave me a lack of focus and it didn't work out for me, so my rules have changed," said Rothwell. "I've grown up and this is all business. I'm there to get my job done and get home, and then I can take a big breath of relief."
Wise move, especially when you realize that his aforementioned trips to Brazil and Russia resulted in losses to Carlos Barreto and Ibragim Magomedov. Of course, those bouts took place back in 2002 (Magomedov) and 2003 (Barreto), almost a century ago in MMA years. Since then, Rothwell is 18-4 and an entirely different fighter than he was back then. And even with an all-business attitude heading into the Gonzaga bout, performing for the Brazilian fans is something he's looking forward to.
"For me to go to Brazil, I'm trained by two Brazilians, so this isn't USA vs. Brazil," said Rothwell. "I respect Brazil very much, and obviously my two coaches have taught me very much and changed my life, so I have a lot of respect for them and I want to give the Brazilian fans a great fight and make some international fans as well."
If he's on when the bell rings, he will definitely leave Brazil with more followers than he entered the country with, and should he grab a win as well, the 'potential' tag he's been saddled with all these years may start being fulfilled on the sport's biggest stage. And he knows it.
"I'm on the brink," said Rothwell. "I haven't gotten to where I want to yet by no means. I'm trying to prove something to myself and it takes the actions inside the Octagon. I feel like I'm close, but I also have to put in my mind that this will all be for nothing if I don't do it. So I have that on my shoulders for sure. You can throw a million punches, but on the night of the fight, that's the time you've got to throw the right one."
Rothwell threw the right one last April. On Saturday, he'll look to have lightning strike twice.
Jamahal Hill Talks UFC 300 Main Event
Hall Of Fame


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5 ETFs to Save You From the Fiscal Cliff
Now that the election is behind us, we can all get back to worrying about that other looming crisis that has been dominating the airwaves - not who will be the next American Idol winner -- but whether or not our economy will fall off the fiscal cliff. The mix of expiring tax cuts and spending reductions scheduled to occur at the end of this year could take a hefty chunk out of economic growth in 2013. But even if we dive full-force off the cliff on January 1, there are some sectors of the economy that should hold up better than others and that could help cushion the blow for investors' portfolios.
Dividend-paying stocks
A huge point of concern among investors is that the lowered tax rate on dividends currently in effect will be revoked at year-end, along with a slew of other temporary tax breaks. Right now, the tax rate on dividends is capped at 15%. If no action is taken to extend this benefit, the tax rate will revert back to ordinary income rates, which can be as high as 39.6%. This could potentially lead to dividend-producing stocks temporarily falling out of favor in the market.
But even if dividend tax rates do go up, it would be foolish -- with a lower-case "f" -- to ditch dividend payers now. History has shown that stocks that pay out dividends typically outperform those that don't, even in periods of higher taxes. According to data from S&P Capital IQ, from 1980 through July of 2012, dividend-paying stocks returned an annualized 12.1% compared to a 10.7% gain for non-dividend payers. But in times of higher taxes, specifically from 1980 through 2002 before the current lowered tax rates on dividends went into effect, dividend-producers churned out a 14.4% annualized showing versus just 11.3% for non-payers. So if history is any guide, even higher tax rates on dividends won't be enough to stop dividend stocks from shining.
Investors who want to cash in on the dividend trend have some great, inexpensive options. Two first-rate exchange-traded funds that fish in these waters include Vanguard Dividend Appreciation (ASE: VIG) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (ASE: SDY) . With price tags of just 0.13% and 0.35%, respectively, these funds are an easy way to get exposure to a well-diversified portfolio of attractively priced large-cap dividend stocks.
Consumer staples
While the entire economy would feel the brunt of a nosedive off the fiscal cliff, some corners of the market would be more adversely affected than others. Obviously the defense industry, which is due to bear the majority of the scheduled budget cuts, would be especially hard hit. Other sectors like consumer discretionary and health care could also take a hit as Americans cut back on purchases of higher-end luxury items and delay treatment on pricier health care services.
But in a worst-case fiscal cliff scenario, defensive consumer stocks should hold up relatively well. They won't be entirely insulated from a drop in consumer spending, but since Americans are less likely to cut back on things like toilet paper and milk than they are on leather handbags and luxury vehicles, consumer staples stocks have a head start on their competitors in difficult economic times. To benefit, check out a fund like Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (ASE: VDC) , which tracks the performance of more than 100 defensive consumer names.
Municipal bonds
If a deal is not reached to avert the worst of the coming fiscal cliff, stocks and other risk assets will be feeling the heat. Bonds, on the other hand, are likely to be the beneficiary of a newly weakened economy and investor fear. Of course, Treasuries don't look terribly attractive given record low yields. To sniff out the best bargains in the bond sector, investors should look to municipal bonds. If taxes do go up, muni bonds, whose income payments are exempt from federal taxes and in some cases state and local taxes, are likely to see a spike in popularity.
If you are a higher-tax-bracket investor who would benefit the most from the tax-exempt feature of municipal bonds, give a second look to moderate duration funds such as iShares S&P National AMT-Free Muni Bond Fund (ASE: MUB) or Market Vectors Intermediate Muni Bond ETF (ASE: ITM) . Just keep in mind that you should always own such funds in taxable accounts, not in a tax-favored vehicle like a 401(k) or IRA since you would lose the favorable tax treatment muni bonds enjoy.
In the end, odds are good that lawmakers will come to some sort of agreement to extend at least some of the tax cuts in question and delay some of the spending cuts. While such a deal will almost assuredly leave parties on both sides of the aisle unsatisfied, it will likely avoid the worst of the cliff. But I'm betting that at least a few tax cuts will be allowed to expire and some reductions in spending will be instituted. So while the best move is to leave your long-term asset allocation largely unchanged, making a few adjustments at the margins to prepare for higher taxes and a more challenging fiscal environment probably can't hurt.
Making the right financial decisions today makes a world of difference in your golden years, but with most people chronically under-saving for retirement it's clear not enough is being done. Don't make the same mistakes as the masses. I urge you to learn about The Shocking Can't-Miss Truth about Your Retirement. It won't cost you a thing, but don't wait, because your free report won't be available forever.
The article 5 ETFs to Save You From the Fiscal Cliff originally appeared on Fool.com.
Amanda Kish is the Fool's resident fund advisor for the Rule Your Retirement investment newsletter. Amanda has no positions in the stocks mentioned above. The Motley Fool has no positions in the stocks mentioned above. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright © 1995 - 2012 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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12 items
Disney Figurines
Disney Figurines Bring Out the Magic in All of Us
Imagine taking a trip to a magical place where you could while away the hours with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Tinker Bell, Cinderella and other beloved Disney characters. Now, you don't have to imagine! At The Bradford Exchange Online, we bring you up close and personal with the enchanting power of Disney.
If you're familiar with our collectible figurines you know that our vast collection includes a many unique handcrafted portrayals of beloved Disney characters. Starring favorites like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Mickey Mouse, Tinker Bell and more, each one of our Disney character figurines is an original masterpiece of heart, soul and artistry. Whether you're a sports fan, a shoe lover, a princess or a biker, you're sure to find a Disney treasure to enchant you - or for someone you love! In fact, all of our Disney figurines make wonderful gifts that bring a touch of enchantment to any occasion. Our Precious Moments Disney Princess figurines are always crowd-pleasers for granddaughters. If you want to celebrate your true love, you can't go wrong with a Thomas Kinkade figurine featuring Disney sweethearts Mickey and Minnie. Of course, if you need gifts for sports fans, our MLB- and NFL-licensed Disney figurines are always a winning choice!
With a history that goes back more than 90 years, the world of Disney has so much to offer fans, followers and friends. And we are happy to offer a wide selection of Disney collectibles, as well as home decor and fashion accessories, all licensed by Disney and created with Disney artists. These special Disney treasures provide a unique way to bring home the stories you grew up with and love. We invite you to begin your journey through the magic of Disney. Shop Now!


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In many ways, RealNetworks seems like a company from another era. And it was, with technology that was once so pervasive Microsoft even bundled it, briefly, in Windows. But while the wider digital media market has seemingly parted ways with Real, the company's latest freely download digital media player, RealPlayer SP, has a lot to offer.
As a standalone media player, RealPlayer SP isn't really a compelling alternative to iTunes, Zune, or Windows Media Player, because each of these offers some important bit of functionality that isn't provided by Real. Too, RealPlayer still offers vestiges of the annoying bundling practices of previous RealPlayer versions, and comes up playing an unwanted video--and displaying a web-style banner ad--when launched.
OK, so why bother? Actually, RealPlayer SP offers two very important and related features that you simply can't find in other players. This functionality, too, explains the RealPlayer SP name. According to Real, SP stands for "Social and Portable," and, oddly enough, one of these features makes the devices you typically use with iTunes, Zune, and WMP, work even better. Let's take a look.
RealPlayer SP is free, but busy with unwanted web-style advertising.
Download web video
The first key RealPlayer SP feature is a browser plug-in that lets you easily download web-based video from sites such as YouTube to your computer. This feature debuted in the previous version, RealPlayer 11, and works similarly in SP: A simple and clear "Download this Video" button appears in the upper-right of the video and you're good to go.
RealPlayer SP lets you download videos from YouTube and other online video sources.
As with RealPlayer 11, video you've downloaded is added to your media library, and because the software can handle Flash, you can play it back locally.
Convert web video so it works on your portable device
The ability to download web video, especially Flash video, and then view it offline is useful enough. But in RealPlayer SP, Real has improved things yet again. Now, the software can also convert web video into more compatible formats. This lets you view the video in more mainstream PC software--like the aforementioned iTunes, Zune, or WMP--and, even more usefully, on a wide variety of devices, including portable devices like MP3 players, smart phones, and cell phones, as well as video game consoles like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
RealPlayer SP also lets you convert downloaded videos so they work well with various devices.
The key to this conversion compatibility is that RealPlayer SP uses the ubiquitous and high quality H.264 video format--now the de facto standard for online movie and TV show delivery--as well as some other device-specific formats like Windows Media, 3GP H.263 (for cell phones), and RealVideo.
There are many video converters out there, some free, some paid. But they all seem to play to the least common denominator, and you see silly mistakes like iPod presets that still utilize low-ball resolutions like 320 x 240. Not RealPlayer SP: It shoots right up to 640 x 480, and even retains the aspect ratio of the original video. That's nicely done, and the fact that the software also automatically copies converted video right into iTunes--thus making it easier to then sync it with an iPod or iPhone--is also hugely appreciated.
Converted video looks great and retains the original aspect ratio.
Note: While the free RealPlayer's video conversion functionality is suitable for portable devices, you'll need to upgrade to RealPlayer SP Plus to get unlimited, high-resolution video conversion features that are suitable for archival purposes (and more).
Other features
RealPlayer SP includes other potentially useful functionality, such as the dubious ability to share video you appropriated elsewhere on social networking sites like Facebook and integrated (but basic) DVD burning. And of course, Real is still pushing its stalled subscription service. These aren't reasons to consider RealPlayer SP, per se, but they do sweeten the deal.
Final thoughts
While RealPlayer SP isn't likely to replace your current media player of choice, it is the perfect supplement, especially if you want to enjoy web video on the go, or download it for offline use. For this reason, RealPlayer SP is highly recommended: It offers unsurpassed web video downloading, archiving, and conversion capabilities, allowing you to bridge the gap between YouTube and your PC and devices.


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Congress is on recess this week and next for the Easter and Passover holidays. They will reconvene on Monday April 16, 2012.
Dear Colleague Letters Call for Investment in Perkins
Members of both the House and Senate have signed on to "Dear Colleague†letters, asking the appropriators in their respective chambers to invest in Perkins during the FY13 appropriations process. The Senate letter, authored by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT), was signed by 22 Senators. In the House, the letter was authored by Reps. Glenn Thompson (PA) and Jim Langevin (RI), and was signed by a total of 65 Representatives.
At a time when Congress is looking to cut spending in all areas, letters such as these show appropriators the level of support among members for individual programs. While it is hard to predict what will happen with funding for any programs this year, we hope that these letters will resonate with the Appropriations Committees and will stave off further cuts to Perkins.
Bills Introduced
Rebuild America Act
Senator Tom Harkin (IA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee has introduced S. 2252, the Rebuild America Act, aimed at restoring the middle class through investments in education, infrastructure and job training, and changes to the tax code. Among other things, the bill would:
- Provide $20 million in formula grants to modernize public schools and community colleges,
- Invest in teacher professional development,
- Create grants to incentivize regional partnerships of businesses, schools, labor, and economic development officials to train workers for jobs, and
- Provide funds for state and local governments to hire teachers, police officers, and firefighters.
 Nancy Conneely, Public Policy Manager
Tags: advocacy, appropriations, budget, business and industry partnerships, community colleges, Congress, federal legislation, funding, Job training, middle class, professional development


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Whenever a young woman meets a tragic end, Pat Brown's phone starts to ring. She spends the next few days on the national TV circuit making appearances on The Today Show, CNN, Nancy Grace, and more. She talks about what kind of person would commit the crime in question whether it's a rape, murder, or some other horrific violation. Her hope is that by sharing some thoughts that may not have occurred to some of the viewers, she might save some lives.
In her book, How To Save Your Daughter's Life: Straight Talk For Parents From America's Top Criminal Profiler, Pat Brown, who has provided crime commentary and forensic analysis in more than 2,000 TV and radio appearances, talks to parents and their daughters in a no-holds-barred voice to get them to understand how predators choose victims and how to avoid becoming a target. She covers all of the dangers that today's young women face and arms parents with information they rarely get from professionals.
Brown says that no one deserves to be murdered, even if she was out selling her body on the street or was buying drugs in a bad part of town, or was cheating on her boyfriend with his brother. She feels it's terribly important to be honest and show women how the behaviors victims engage in may bring them into harm's way.
"Talking about the perpetrator may be fascinating and educational, and we can rail about changing the system, locking these monsters up, but it isn't going to do much to save your daughter's life today," Brown says.
In How To Save Your Daughter's Life, the author hopes to help parents and young women understand the world of psychopaths and criminals; how they think, where they lurk, and how they lure and grab victims. She talks about what kinds of choices and defenses will protect her and which ones are dangerous. Each chapter in the book also has suggestions for the more willful child, and at the end of the chapter is a "Letter to My Daughter" that even a defiant daughter may benefit from.
This book reads like a handbook and should be a part of the household of anyone with a daughter. Truly, this is straight talk for parents from an expert criminal profiler.
Pat Brown is a nationally known criminal profiler, television commentator, author, and founder and CEO of The Sexual Homicide Exchange and The Pat Brown Criminal Profiling Agency. She has provided crime commentary and profiling and forensic analysis in more than 2,000 television and radio appearances in the United States and across the globe. She can be seen regularly on the cable television news programs on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX, and is a frequent guest of The Today Show, the CBS Early Show, Larry King, Inside Edition, Nancy Grace, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell, Dr. Drew, Joy Behar, and America's Most Wanted. Her radio show Profile This! airs every Sunday on BlogTalkRadio (9:00 pm EST).
For four seasons, Brown profiled crimes on the weekly Court TV crime show, I, Detective. She is the host of the 2004 Discovery Channel documentary, The Mysterious Death of Cleopatra. In the spring of 2006, Brown went inside one of Florida's maximum-security prisons to interview a child murderer for the Discovery Channel series Evil Minds. In 2010 she profiled a new Jack the Ripper suspect for Investigation Discovery's Mystery Files. She is the author of The Profiler: My Life Hunting Serial Killers, Psychopaths, and Killing for Sport: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers, and is a contract writer for Crime Library. Brown contributed special feature content included in the 2005 home DVD edition of Profiler: Season Two and the 15th Anniversary Edition, 2006 DVD release of Quentin Tarantino's crime classic Reservoir Dogs.
Since 1996, Brown's organization The Sexual Homicide Exchange (SHE) has offered criminal profiling services at no charge to law enforcement and training for detectives. Its latest program, All Our Children Matter, is dedicated to stopping violence against children through criminal profiling education and proactive training for parents and communities.


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Trailer court problems in Mussi
At the October 27 meeting of the San Juan County Commission:
Residents of the Riverview Trailer Court in Montezuma Creek came seeking help to relocate the remaining four trailers in the park. They reported that residents of the trailer park were taken to court by the new owner due to non-payment of rental fees. However the lawsuit was thrown out of court because the trailer park does not have a sanitation permit.
The Aneth Chapter then passed a resolution to close and demolish the park. Residents say that they were not notified of the Aneth Chapter resolution, or that the park was being shut down, until the contractor came to begin demolition. The residents say that electrical service was shut off to the park, but when Rocky Mountain Power came to restore the service, the electric meters were found to be obsolete. The residents state that Rocky Mountain Power was not unaware that people were still living in the park.
All but four residents have moved their trailers to different locations. They state that they are being harassed by the contractor, who has threatened to demolish the homes whether or not they are occupied.
The remaining four residents say they are unable to pay to have their trailers moved and sought funds from the Commission to help them move. The cost is approximately $1,000 per trailer.
Commissioner Lynn Stevens said, "The commission is empathetic to the tenants, however we don't have any procedure to help financially with relocation." If the county were to pay the moving costs for the remaining trailers, those who have moved their own trailers would expect reimbursement. Stevens said he does have a problem with how the county citizens have been treated.
Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy advised the residents to meet with the Aneth Chapter to seek help and that he would help in any way he could. He added, however, that the county could not step in and provide funding.
In other business at the meeting, human resource specialist Cyndi Eldridge received approval to hire two new employees and one employee transfer and two building permits were approved in White Mesa.
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iPhone X: new Apple smartphone dumps home button for all-screen design
Apple has unveiled the iPhone X, its new radically redesigned smartphone that drops the traditional home button for an all-screen design, as well as new iPhone 8 and iPhone 8Plus models.
Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller, took to the stage of the company's new Steve Jobs Theater situated within the brand new Apple Park"spaceship" headquarters to unveil the new iPhones.
The new $999 (£999 – there is dollar-to-pound parity on the new range of Apple products) iPhone X will come with the company's new iOS 11 software featuring new on-screen buttons and gestures to replace the standard physical home button, which has been a mainstay of iPhones since the line's launch in 2007, plus new animated emoji called Animoji.
The iPhone X, pronounced 10, will come in two colours, space grey and silver, and is available for pre-order on 27 October, and shipping by 3 November. A 256GB storage option will also be available for £1,149.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook said: "This is the iPhone X. It's the biggest leap forward since the original iPhone."
Instead of pressing a button, users swipe up from the bottom to get to the home screen and swipe and hold to go into multitasking. To wake the device users just tap the screen or lift the iPhone, while the control centre is now accessed by swiping down from top right corner of the phone.
The front of the device features a cutout at the top of the new OLED Super Retina display housing a new True Depth camera system for the Face ID facial recognition system and for taking selfies with Apple's Portrait Mode. Apple says Face ID is capable of identifying the phone's owner from a 3D scan of the face in order to unlock the device, authenticate payments and input saved passwords into login screens as well as integrate into third-party apps.
Similar systems have been used by Microsoft for its Windows Hello-capable Surface computer line, but no one has yet cracked the technology on a smartphone. Apple said the system was capable of operating even when the user was wearing glasses, and only unlocks the phone when the user is actively looking at it.
The iPhone X does not include Apple's Touch ID fingerprint scanner, which was introduced in 2013 under the home button with the iPhone 5S.
But Apple said that its Face ID was more secure than Touch ID by a factor of 20, capable of discerning between the user's real face and photographs – and even Hollywood-level replica masks – using the True Depth camera system, which projects an IR dot map on to the face to map it. It even works in the dark.
The rest of the device is made from stainless steel and glass, harking back to the design of the iPhone 4, and mirroring that of rival Samsung's Galaxy S8 but without a curved screen. It marks a striking contrast to recent all-metal iPhone models, and remains to be seen whether it suffers from a similar level of fragility as rival glass-and-metal sandwich smartphones. Apple said the glass was the most durable ever fitted to a smartphone with metal reinforcement. The headphone jack is still gone too.
The iPhone X will have Apple's latest processor, the A11 Bionic that comes with an integrated Neural Engine for face recognition and now has six cores, up from last year's A10 with four cores. Apple said that the A11 had 30% faster graphics and was an up to 70% faster processor than the A10, while extending battery life by two hours over the iPhone 7 – a pain point for the majority of current iPhone users.
Apple also introduced Qi wireless charging to the iPhone line for the first time, which uses a a plate within the back of the phone to accept an inductive charge from a pad or a piece of furniture with wireless charging built in. It's a feature that's been standard in Samsung's Galaxy S line of smartphones for the last threeyears and available with several other rivals, and removes the need to fiddle with a power cable to charge your smartphone.
The back of the iPhone X has Apple's now familiar dual camera system, which debuted on 2016's iPhone 7 Plus with one wide-angle camera and one "telephoto" camera capable of giving the phone a two-times optical zoom, but oriented vertically rather than horizontally. Both cameras have new 12-megapixel sensors, optical image stabilisation and Apple said that it had improved its computational photography system to produce better, more detailed images.
Part of the improved system is a new version of the company's Portrait Mode, which allows users to artificially blur the background to create a shallow depth of field, similar to that created by dSLR cameras, and change the lighting effects across the subject's face. Rivals Samsung and others have also shipped similar features, with inherent flaws around fine detail such as hair. It remains to be seen whether Apple's system can fix those problems.
Apple also unveiled new animated emoji characters it calls "animoji", which allow users to map facial expressions on to little characters, such as a robot, fox, unicorn, or anthropomorphised poo using the iPhone X's facial recognition system. The animoji can only be sent to other Apple users through the company's Messages app.
Ben Wood, chief of research for CCS Insight said: "The iPhone X is the blueprint for the iPhone's new hardware direction. An OLED display and the new design is likely to [be] standard on future iPhone models, but Apple must first tackle the challenge of obtaining sufficient supply.
"A staggered introduction of OLED technology and the new design enables Apple to steadily ramp up scale in its supply chain and maximise profits. The relatively high prices of the iPhone X are a necessary and important mechanism to control demand in the near term."
Alongside the iPhone X, Apple also unveiled two other new smartphones, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, which are essentially updated versions of 2016's iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, which were themselves updates of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S lines from 2014 and 2015 respectively.
On the outside the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus has glass on the front and back, with a colour-matched aluminium band around the outside. Apple said that the glass on the back was the "most durable glass on any smartphone", attempting to assuage fears that the new iPhone would be less durable than the iPhone 7.
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus both have Apple's new A11 Bionic chip, but without the Neural Engine of that fitted to the iPhone X, and come with improved screens with the company's True Tone feature and improved speakers while keeping its current form with a home button with Touch ID 2 fingerprint scanner. But they lack facial recognition and an all-screen design of the iPhone X.
Schiller said: "This is the first iPhone created for AR. The cameras are individually calibrated in the factory which makes a huge difference for AR, plus AR benefits from the new A11 Bionic chip."
Apple also added wireless Qi charging like the iPhone X and the latest Bluetooth 5.0 standard, which is expected to become widely used in the next year for headphones and other peripherals.
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will come in three colours and start at $699/£699 and $799/£799 respectively with 64GB of storage, available for pre-order from 15 September and shipping by 22 September. A 256GB storage option will also available.
Wood said: "The iPhone X and iPhone 8 models are very strong additions to Apple's portfolio that address increasing competition from Samsung and others. Rivals will be watching how quickly Apple can meet demand for the iPhone X and begin to build margins on a new design with new components."


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AP Source: Cavs Offer Andrew Bynum 2-year Deal
A person with knowledge of the negotiations says the Cleveland Cavaliers have offered free-agent center Andrew Bynum a two-year contract.
The Cavs made the offer Monday night, a deal that includes a team option for the second year.
The person who spoke to the Associated Press on Tuesday did so on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks. Yahoo! Sports first reported the offer and said it was worth $24 million.
The Cavs are banking on Bynum being healthy. He missed all of last season with knee injuries after the 76ers acquired the 25-year-old last summer from the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-team trade.
Bynum is expected to meet with Atlanta and Dallas before making a decision. Bynum played one season in Los Angeles under Cleveland coach Mike Brown.
[Associated Press]